Title - Tension over demolition of temple compound wall

Tension prevailed for sometime near the New Hubli Railway Station on Monday after workers damaged a compound wall of a temple located on the premises.Trouble began after workers employed by the railway authorities brought down the compound wall of Shri Shanta Durga Devi Temple. As the news spread, residents of nearby areas rushed to the spot and objected to the action of the authorities.Soon there was an altercation between them, and the residents resorted snap protest demanding immediate arrest of the demolition work.Subsequently, leaders of the Sangh Pariwar, including Chandrashekhar Gokak of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), rushed to the spot and another bout of altercation took place even as the authorities tried to convince the agitators, claiming that they were only demolishing the compound wall. Following the protest, the railway authorities stopped the demolition work and called the protesters for a meeting with the Divisional Railway Manager in the evening.In a meeting held in the evening, Divisional Railway Manager P.K. Mishra assured the residents that they would provide alternative site for building the temple. However, the residents didn’t accept the offer and sought time for taking a decision.